Taking a weekend trip in the fall has to earn its spot on the calendar to make it worth it: pumpkins, fun and unique activities, cooling weather, and cozy cottage accommodations to make it genuinely feel special. Pumpkins at Callaway Resort & Gardens checks all the boxes, plus encapsulates that cozy autumnal feeling that brings out your inner child a little bit. From nighttime dance parties and a colorful corn maze to a spectacularly illuminated pumpkin forest trail, we squeezed every bit of magic out of the nighttime event.
This year marks the fifth season of Pumpkins at Callaway, and with a significant $600K expansion, you can really see the attention to detail that went into making this event feel special. Running on select nights from September 19th to November 1st, 2026, the event manages to be completely family-friendly while perfectly melding fall and Halloween. No wonder it was recognized as a Signature Event by the Southeast Tourism Society in 2025!
🎃Key Things to Know about Pumpkins at Callaway
- Distance from Greenville, SC: Approximately 4 hours
- Cost of admission: Adults $24.99; children (ages 4–12) and seniors (65+) $15.99. Ticket includes same-day admission to Callaway Gardens.
- Lodging: Callaway Resorts lodge, cabins, or villas is the best option. The Glow & Save Getaway bundles come with a one-night stay and two Pumpkins at Callaway tickets.
- Attractions include: Enchanted Pumpkin Trail, Pumpkin Night Dance Parties, trick-or-treat stops, glow-in-the-dark mini golf, Robin Bloom’s Harvest Hall with indoor games and activities (some cost $), and trolley ride to Cason’s Garden with food & drinks ($), lawn games, corn maze, and sunflower field.
- Hours: Select nights through November 1st.
October: Thursdays and Sundays 5-9 PM, Fridays and Saturdays 5-10 PM, Monday, October 12 is open 5-9 PM.
Closing night is Sunday, November 1, 5-9 PM. - Best for: Families, groups, weekend trip, date night
- Pro Tip: Definitely utilize your tickets to access the gardens during the day!
Pumpkins at Callaway Resort & Gardens
Pumpkins galore! There were pumpkin statues, talking jack-o’-lanterns, pumpkin pathways that lit up the night, and I even spotted a pumpkin spice pulled pork sandwich on the menu. Spread across Robin Lake and Cason’s Garden, the event was expansive but still felt easy to explore. There’s a little bit of everything, so everyone in your group will leave feeling the fall spirit.
What We Loved Most
Enchanted Pumpkin Trail
Spectacularly done. My husband and I agree this was our favorite part of Pumpkins at Callaway. There’s so much to look at, and the pumpkins are creatively carved, painted, and placed. Then there are the lights: strings hanging from the trees, blacklights throughout, a glowing foggy trail, a projection of woodland creatures, smoke bubbles, and light tunnels.
You can walk through as many times as you want, and it’s such a creative use of the forest trail. Parents can easily push younger kids through in a wagon or stroller.
Pumpkin Night Dance Parties
So much fun! The dance parties happen beneath the giant animated pumpkin tower, with Robin Lake as the backdrop. A group of performers teaches the kids (and parents!) dance moves to songs like “Thriller,” the “YMCA,” and the “Cupid Shuffle.”
This was my kids’ absolute favorite, no question. It was like their own little concert, and they were the stars. With three dance parties each night, the girls made sure we didn’t miss a single one. There’s a very special ending to each party, so stick around for that!
Corn Maze
Hop on the trolley over to Cason’s Garden to tackle the all-new corn maze, which opens when the event starts at 5 p.m. There’s music playing and flashing lights, and it was a blast. We let our girls lead the way. With three separate entrances, if you really love getting lost in the corn, you can try out a few different routes.
Even More Fall Fun
Right at the entrance to the pumpkin trail, you’ll find glow-in-the-dark mini golf. Everything glows, and you just grab a ball and club and start playing. Older kids and adults will love this one.
Next, head toward the humongous tent to Robin Bloom’s Harvest Hall, a giant indoor space with vendors, sweet treats, free fall-themed games, and photo ops. There are also a few extras you may have to pay for, like face painting and pumpkin painting, so keep that in mind. This is where little ones can meet Robin Bloom, a new character at Pumpkins in the cutest scarecrow costume. My five-year-old happily plopped down front row to meet her and listen to the storytime.
Why Staying at the Resort Makes It Even Better
Callaway is expansive, so if you have a group, I recommend booking one of the cottages. We stayed over the weekend, and its the perfect size for a family of 4-6, has a cozy living room, fully stocked kitchen, and a screened in back porch that felt private and has that cabin in the woods feel. Then, you can either golf cart, drive your car, or use the shuttle service to get from where you’re staying to where the fun is. The best part is that the entire resort is true eye candy.
The leaves were just starting to turn in Pine Mountain while we were there. Peak color usually arrives in late October and early November, but we still caught yellow and orange hues peeking through the forest against the evergreens. I highly recommend spending a day exploring the Gardens, especially around the Ida Cason Callaway Memorial Chapel. There, you can really feel Virginia Callaway’s vision of a place where visitors slow down and connect with nature.
We lucked out with temperatures in the low 80s. It rained on and off all weekend, but there was so much to do inside and out that it never slowed us down. Even when it was pouring on Saturday night, everyone at Pumpkins at Callaway was still having a blast. We even walked the pumpkin trail twice in the rain, and honestly, it made for some of our most special memories.
The resort always has a special sense of luxury. When you walk into the lodge to check in, you’ll notice the staff’s thoughtful touches, like dozens of colorful mums lining the entry paths and fall decor throughout the lobby.
Make It an Overnight or Weekend Trip
After a night of dance parties and pumpkin trails, the last thing you’ll want is a long drive home, especially if you’ve driven more than a couple of hours. Staying on property it totally worth it, because not only do you get to experience Pumpkins at Callaway, but you can explore the gardens, visit the Discovery Center, explore the butterfly center, or enjoy the trails.
Callaway makes this easy with the Glow & Save Getaway. It bundles one night in the Cottages, Villas, or Lodge & Spa with two Pumpkins at Callaway tickets, for stays through November 1, 2026. The package is based on double occupancy, so plan on extra tickets for the kids.
Arriving early? Book a Pink Jeep Adventure Tour, a guided ride in an open-air Pink Jeep Wrangler that takes you to corners of the property you’d never find on foot. Tours run Fridays through Sundays at 9 AM, 12 PM, and 3 PM, starting at $40 for adults, with child pricing for ages 4–12. The 3 PM tour finishes just in time for gates to open at 5. We took a Pink Jeep tour with Jenny, and it was so much fun! We visited our favorite parts of the gardens and learned about things we didn’t even think of! If you are thinking about going down for Fantasy in Lights, this is the way to see it!
Daytime at the Gardens: Butterflies and Birds of Prey
Your Pumpkins at Callaway ticket includes same-day Gardens admission, so come early and make a full day of it. Wander through the Cecil B. Day Butterfly Center, one of North America’s largest tropical butterfly conservatories, then catch a Birds of Prey program at the Discovery Amphitheater (which is one of the coolest experiences ever!). Learn more about these amazing places to visit in our detailed review of Callaway Resort & Gardens with Kids.
Questions Parents Are Asking about Pumpkins at Callaway
Do you trick-or-treat at Pumpkins at Callaway?
Yes! Callaway has several candy stops, and they’re open every event night. You can grab a treat bag inside of Robins Bloom Harvest Hall right at the entrance. You kids (and you) can wear costumes if you’d like, we did and saw plenty of people dressed up.
Is it good for toddlers and young kids?
Absolutely. The event is the perfect meld of fall and Halloween. There’s no age minimum and nothing is scary, and you don’t have to worry about jump scares or actors in scary masks. The main paths are easy to manage with a stroller or wagon. For the calmest part of the night with younger kids, Callaway recommends coming between 5 and 7 PM.
What’s included with my ticket?
Every ticket includes same-day admission to Callaway Gardens. Before heading to Pumpkins at Callaway, you can spend the afternoon at the Butterfly Center, catch a Birds of Prey program at the Discovery Center, or rent bikes and explore the trails. We recommend starting at Cason’s to do the corn maze and grab some food before heading over for the nightime at Robins Lake when the
How do I get from Robins Lake to Cason’s Garden?
Callaway has a very efficient open air trolley system that takes you from one place to another, and it’s actually a big hit with kids. You can park your car at Robins Lake, and take the trolley to and from Cason’s Garden. Just be aware that the last trolley from Cason’s Garden leaves at 9 PM.
Does Pumpkins at Callaway accept cash at vendors and food stalls?
No, please bring a debit or credit card, as Callaway Resort & Gardens is going cashless.
Does the event still happen if it rains?
Yes! As long is there is not lightening, the party is still going (with a temporary halt to some activities). There are plenty of places to huddle, and the large tent at the Harvest Hall is a safe place to go in case of incliment weather. During our visit, it rained heavily for around an hour, and plenty of families (ours included) took the opportunity to venture into the forest anyways (and it was probably the best moment of the weekend- core memory right there!).
Plan Your Fall Weekend Trip
Rain and all, Pumpkins at Callaway gave us one of our favorite family weekends we’ve had as a family. A fun road trip paired with a unique event, made it the escape we needed. Pumpkins at Callaway runs only through November 1, don’t forget your costumes, and go make some glowing memories of your own.
Callaway Resort & Gardens
4500 Southern Pine Drive
Pine Mountain, GA 31822
Pumpkins at Callaway
17800 US-27
Pine Mountain, GA 31822